By Mazahir Salih, Johnson County
As HF 2296 moves to the Iowa Senate, Johnson County residents should understand what is at stake.
Johnson County is currently the only county in Iowa operating a Community ID program. This program did not appear overnight. Nearly 13 years ago, the Center for Worker Justice began raising questions about barriers faced by residents who lacked access to basic identification. That advocacy sparked years of public discussion, research, and community dialogue about whether a locally issued ID could strengthen safety and connection.
After extensive consideration, Johnson County established the Community ID program more than a decade ago.
The Community ID is not a driver’s license. It cannot be used to vote, access state or federal benefits, or board a plane. It is a limited, locally issued identification card designed to help residents interact safely with local institutions — including schools, libraries, utilities, banks, and law enforcement.
For more than ten years, this program has operated in Johnson County without documented problems caused by its existence. Independent review early in the program’s history examined its impact, and the ID has continued to function as a practical tool for residents who need a basic form of identification.
When people have access to identification, trust increases. Residents are more likely to report crimes, cooperate as witnesses, open bank accounts, secure housing, and participate fully in community life. That strengthens public safety and civic engagement for everyone — not just for those who carry the card.
HF 2296 would eliminate this long-standing local program and override a decision made here in Johnson County after years of thoughtful discussion and study. Whether one personally uses a Community ID or not, this bill raises a fundamental question: should local communities retain the ability to adopt policies that address local needs?
Johnson County’s Community ID program reflects careful deliberation, lived experience, and more than a decade of stable operation. If a policy has existed for over ten years without documented harm and with demonstrated community benefit, it deserves evaluation based on its record.
Johnson County should be allowed to continue making decisions that serve its residents.
Mazahir Salih is the co-founder and former executive director of the Center for Worker Justice. She is also an at-large member of the Iowa City Council.
